REFRIGERATOR - A refrigerator is provided that includes a chilled interior and a cooling circuit for a coolant, the cooling circuit being provided with an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. The refrigerator further includes a controller as well as a fan for cooling the condenser and the compressor. The controller controls the fan to operate during an idle phase of the compressor.

MULLION ASSEMBLY FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area adapted to support product. The case includes a frame that has at least one mullion assembly defining an opening into the product display area, and a door that is positioned over the opening. The mullion assembly includes a mullion, a light assembly that is coupled to the mullion and that has a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the product display area, and a reflective surface that is coupled to at least one side of the mullion assembly and that extends along a length of the mullion. The reflective surface is visible from outside the case to increase visibility of product within the product display area.

2010-01-28

20100018233

COOLER MERCHANDISER WITH CUSTOMIZABLE GRAPHICS - A display unit may be a cooler merchandiser for displaying products, such as food and beverages. The cooler merchandiser may have a housing that contains a display portion for displaying one or more products and a cooling portion that may be configured to cool the products in the display portion. A frame may be attached to the housing and may extend along at least a portion of the perimeter of a surface of the housing. A removable insert may slide into the frame so that it is positioned adjacent to a surface of the housing. The removable insert may include a cardboard material and the housing may include a rigid styrene material. The removable insert may display a graphics that may be customized. An opening may be provided in the housing to provide access to the display portion and a thermo-protective barrier may be provided to cover the opening.

2010-01-28

20100018234

FABRICATION MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES FOR PLATE HEAT AND MASS EXCHANGERS FOR INDIRECT EVAPORATIVE COOLERS - Heat exchanger plates for indirect evaporative coolers, of the type having a dry side having low permeability to an evaporative liquid and formed to allow a product fluid to flow over a heat transfer area of its surface, a wet side designed to have its surface wet by an evaporative liquid, and formed to allow a working gas to flow over its surface to evaporate the evaporative liquid, are formed such that the wet side comprises a hydrophobic fiber sheet and the dry side comprises a non-permeable sealing layer on the sheet. Heat seal strips are formed at the inlet and outlet of the plates and air flow perforations are formed through the plates.

Low Water Consumption Cooling Tower for Gasification Plants - Disclosed is a hybrid cooling tower and a method and system for using the cooling tower. The cooling tower is design to reduce water consumption and eliminate plume formation. The cooling tower comprises a wet section having a plurality of wet section fans and a dry section having a plurality of dry section fans. The wet section fans are adjustable to operate at an increased rate and a reduced rate, depending upon ambient conditions surrounding the cooling tower. The wet section may comprise at least one shutter door. In operation, typically the wet section fans operate at the increased rate during a summer peak price period and at the reduced rate during a winter peak price period and an offpeak price period. Typically, the dry section fans operate at the increased rate all year. This method allows for less evaporative cooling and more latent cooling thereby reducing water consumption.

2010-01-28

20100018238

WATER FILTER UNIT - The present invention relates to a water filter unit for a refrigerator and/or freezer, wherein the water filter unit includes at least one base body and at least one receptacle for a filter cartridge, which is movable relative to the base body.

2010-01-28

20100018239

REFRIGERATOR - The present invention is characterized in that an ice maker is installed at a refrigerating chamber, an ice bank is installed at a door for a refrigerating chamber, and a cooling air duct extended along a wall surface of the refrigerating chamber is positioned on an upper side of the ice bank so that a phenomenon that ice stored in the inside of an ice bank sticks to each other due to the melting of ice can be prevented.

2010-01-28

20100018240

Refrigerating and/or freezing appliance - A refrigerator and/or freezer with an appliance carcass, can be closed by at least one door, and a powered door operating device for automatically operating the door. The door operating device has drives both automatically opening and closing the door.

2010-01-28

20100018241

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER - An insulated container has a front, back, top and bottom. Pairs of mating members are located on the front and pairs of mating members are located on the back to maintain the container in a collapsed state. The mating members on the front are positioned such that the mating members form a connection when the top of the container is folded on top of the front of the container. The mating members on the back are position such that the mating members form a connection when the bottom of the container is fold on top of the back of the container. In some embodiments, the mating members are positioned on portions of handles attached to the container.

2010-01-28

20100018242

BASKET FOR REFRIGERATOR AND MOUNTING APPARATUS FOR THE BASKET - In order to accomplish the prevention of the shaking of the basket provided in a refrigerator, the fall prevention of the basket, the safe support of foods, the improvement of safety of the supporting portion of the basket, the improvement of user's sanitation and the improvement of appearance, the present invention discloses a mounting apparatus for a basket for a refrigerator comprising: a telescopic mounted on the wall of the refrigerator to be retractable; a connect member engaged with the telescopic; and a basket firmly seated on the upper surface of the connect member and provided with a plurality of bent wires, wherein, in order to support the position of the basket, the connect member comprises a right and left shake preventing part preventing right and left shakings of the basket; a front and rear shake preventing part preventing front and rear shakings of the basket; and a up and down shake preventing part preventing up and down shakings of the basket.

2010-01-28

20100018243

INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC COMPRESSOR - There is provided an integrated electric compressor that is improved in reliability. Bus bar connection is employed for electrical connection between a power board

2010-01-28

20100018244

INVERTER-INTEGRATED ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR - An inverter-integrated electric compressor that is capable of solving various problems caused by thermal expansion of a gel material filled inside an inverter accommodating section for vibration prevention and moisture prevention and capable of increasing reliability is provided. In the inverter-integrated electric compressor, an inverter accommodating section (

INTERNAL HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY - An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a housing defining a cylindrical with opposing ends. The ends are sealed with end caps having inlets/outlets. A helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity, in which the helical coil includes two tube ends extending in opposing directions and exiting the cylindrical cavity through tube ports provided in the end caps. A twisted elongated strip is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity extending from the first end to the second end. The twisted elongated strip includes a plurality of radially extending fingers adapted to engage the helical coil to maintain the helical coil in a predetermined position.

2010-01-28

20100018247

DESALINATION METHOD AND SYSTEM USING A CONTINUOUS HELICAL SLUSH REMOVAL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a chamber, wherein a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The droplets then settle at the bottom of the chamber, wherein they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature, to form an ice/brine slush mixture. A slush removal mechanism with a screw-like helical blade is provided to continuously remove the ice particles from the chamber.

2010-01-28

20100018248

Controlled Freeze Zone Tower - A cryogenic distillation tower is provided for the separation of a fluid stream containing at least methane and carbon dioxide. The cryogenic distillation tower has a lower stripping section, an upper rectification section, and an intermediate spray section. The intermediate spray section includes a plurality of spray nozzles that inject a liquid freeze zone stream. The nozzles are configured such that substantial liquid coverage is provided across the inner diameter of the intermediate spray section. The liquid freeze zone stream generally includes methane at a temperature and pressure whereby both solid carbon dioxide particles and a methane-enriched vapor stream are formed. The tower may further include one or more baffles below the nozzles to create frictional resistance to the gravitational flow of the liquid freeze zone stream. This aids in the breakout and recovery of methane gas. Additional internal components are provided to improve heat transfer and to facilitate the breakout of methane gas.

2010-01-28

20100018249

SIMULTANEOUS GAS SUPPLY FROM MULTIPLE BSGS - Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for supplying gas from a multi-container BSGS system wherein at least one process parameter is automatically monitored to prevent over-filling of at least a first and second container without operator intervention.

2010-01-28

20100018250

Decorative Article Having a White Coating - A personal ornament having an ornament base article made of a metal or the like; an underlayer, preferably nickel-free, formed on the base article; and a coloring layer constituted of an abrasion-resistant layer of 0.2-1.5 μm thick formed by dry-plating on the surface of the underlayer and an outermost layer of 0.002-0.1 μm thick formed by dry-plating on the surface of the abrasion-resistant layer. The coloring layer is a white hard coating film of a stainless-steel color which provides superior quality, high resistance to deterioration of appearance by scratching, and a high-quality image like a stainless steel film.

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OPTICAL GLASS ELEMENT - A method for manufacturing an optical glass element, comprising: annealing a press-molded product obtained by press molding into a lens shape a glass material comprised of a core portion comprised of an optical glass (first glass) with a transition temperature of 550° C. or higher and a covering portion comprised of a second glass covering the surface of said core portion; and then removing the covering layer from the surface of the press-molded product to obtain an optical glass element. To provide a method for manufacturing high-optical-performance mold-pressed lenses in which the defective external appearance of optical elements comprised of high-temperature glass materials with a Tg of 550° C. or higher is prevented.

Multifunctional group for a glass items forming machine - A rough mold of a machine for forming glass items is provided with a multifunctional group, which has a common support head; a handling device for moving the common head along a first handling axis; and a further handling device for rotating the common head about a second handling axis. The common head being fitted with a mold closing member for sealing the top opening of the rough mold, and at least one further operating member selectable from a funnel-shaped member for guiding at least one glass gob into the rough mold, a blowing member for blowing pressurized air into the rough mold, and one or more members for treating the inner surface of the rough mold.

2010-01-28

20100018255

Forming section of a hollow glass items production machine and relevant support structure - In a machine for forming glass items, a forming section has a forming assembly, and a bottom support structure for supporting the forming assembly. The forming section has a rough mold; a finish mold; a transfer assembly for transferring at least one glass mass being formed from the rough mold to the finish mold; an extractor for extracting at least one glass item from the finish mold; a glass mass guide device, a mold closing device, and a punching device associated with the rough mold. The forming section also has and a pneumatic blower device and a cooling device associated with at least the finish mold The bottom support structure has a bottom hollow frame, and at least one top plate separate from the bottom frame and on which the whole forming assembly rests and is connected.

2010-01-28

20100018256

Molds opening/closing group of a forming glass machine items - In a machine for forming glass items, a mold having two half-molds movable between a closed forming position and an open extraction position by a mold opening/closing group is provided. The mold includes two handling arms, each connected to a respective half-mold, which are rotated about respective fixed hinge axes by a single linear actuator. The mobile member translates in a direction parallel to the fixed hinge axes, and is connected to the handling arms by a mechanical transmission having a respective guide-and-slide assembly for each handling arm.

2010-01-28

20100018257

Top Loaded Washing Machine having Drum with Horizontal Axis of Rotation - A washing machine includes a tub fixedly installed in a cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the tub for containing laundry and provided with an opening formed through the outer circumferential surface thereof so that the laundry is taken into and out of the drum through the opening. A drum door is provided at the opening of the drum and moves in the circumferential direction of the drum relative to the drum to open and close the opening of the drum. A driving unit rotates the drum.

2010-01-28

20100018258

Detergent dissolving device and washing machine having the same - Disclosed are a detergent dissolving device for a washing machine capable of improving solubility of detergent, and a washing machine having the same. The detergent dissolving device includes a powdered detergent box, and the powdered detergent box includes a detergent receiving portion, and a water feed portion defined at a periphery of the detergent receiving portion to feed water into the detergent receiving portion so as to cause rotating motion of water received in the detergent receiving portion. The detergent dissolving device further includes a cover provided to open or close the detergent receiving portion. The cover includes a water discharge portion to discharge the water out of the detergent receiving portion.

2010-01-28

20100018259

MULTIPLE LAUNDRY TREATING MACHINE - A new concept laundry treating machine including a pedestal laundry treating device is disclosed. The pedestal laundry treating device is capable of treating a small amount of laundry without driving a large-capacity laundry treating machine as a drying or washing machine, and functioning as a pedestal for the laundry treating machine. The multiple laundry treating machine includes a laundry treating machine body for performing a washing operation or a drying operation, a pedestal laundry treating device supporting the laundry treating machine body, and having a volume and a height smaller than those of the laundry treating machine body, the pedestal laundry treating device including a washing tub, a detergent supplier arranged in the pedestal laundry treating device, to supply a detergent to the washing tub, and a water supply pipe for supplying wash water from an external water supply source to the detergent supplier.

2010-01-28

20100018260

BEAKER TYPE DYEING MACHINE - In one embodiment, the present invention is a beaker type dyeing machine. One embodiment of an apparatus for dyeing a material in a beaker includes a cylinder body having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for coupling to the lid of the beaker, a check valve incorporated into the first end of the cylinder body, and a plug incorporated into the second end of the cylinder body, the plug being operable to control opening and closing of the check valve.

2010-01-28

20100018261

DRUM TYPE WASHING MACHINE - A drum type washing machine has a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub fixed inside the cabinet for storing the washing water, a drum disposed in the tub and having both side surfaces supported by the cabinet to be rotatable and an inlet through which laundries come in/go out on a circumferential surface thereof, and a driving motor fixed on one side surface of the drum to rotate the drum. Washing capacity can be increased while maintaining the entire size of the washing machine by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing the size of the cabinet, and the entire size of the washing machine can be compacted by minimizing the installation space of the driving motor.

2010-01-28

20100018262

MODULAR FABRIC REVITALIZING SYSTEM - A modular system according to one embodiment of the invention for treating fabric load comprises a first module and a second module. The first module can include a chamber having an interior for holding a fabric load, and the second module can have at least one of a fluid delivery system, a fluid removal system, and a fluid recycling system. The modular system can further include conduits for coupling the systems of the second module with the first module.

2010-01-28

20100018263

Restrainer - The “Restrainer” is geared towards rapid and safe control gaining, restraining and removal of certain individuals in various situations. The “Restrainer” gives a critical advantage by creating a higher physical leverage and supplys a firm safe and comfortable grip. The “Restrainer” acts as a restraining device, neutralizing device, removal device and arresting device, all according to mission characteristics and with a high reliability and minimum harm to the user and restrained individual.

2010-01-28

20100018264

LOCK ASSEMBLY, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURING ENCLOSED SPACES - A lock assembly portion may include a housing assembly, first and second latches, at least one latch drive, and at least one actuator. The housing assembly includes a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The first latch is associated with the first end portion. The second latch is associated with the second end portion. The at least one actuator interfaces the latch drive to the first and second latches. Operation of the latch drive causes the first and second latches to move relative to one another between respective extended and retracted positions.

2010-01-28

20100018265

MOTOR-DRIVEN STEERING LOCK APPARATUS - The invention provides a motor-driven steering lock apparatus which can improve a reliability of locking and unlocking operations, with a simple circuit structure. A power supply line from a battery and a driving means are connected by a switching means only at a time when a feed signal from a host first control means to a drive control means (CPU), a power supply-enabling signal from the host first control means and a power supply-enabling signal from a host second control means are input to the switching means.

2010-01-28

20100018266

MULTI-PIECE PLUG ASSEMBLY FOR A CYLINDER LOCK - A cylinder lock assembly includes a cylinder body and a plug assembly which is manufactured in a multiple of pieces to facilitate casting of each plug piece in a single operation. The plug assembly includes a plug body with a plug insert opening to receive a plug insert. The plug insert opening is generally L-shaped in cross-section to receive the plug insert which is correspondingly shaped. The plug insert includes a plug outer portion which defines an arcuate outer surface which corresponds with the outer circumference of the plug body when the plug insert is mounted therein. A plug pin chamber portion extends generally transverse to the plug outer portion to define a multiple of tumbler pin chambers which extend through the plug outer portion.

2010-01-28

20100018267

REKEYABLE LOCK CYLINDER, PLUG ASSEMBLY OF THE SAME AND METHOD FOR REKEYING THE SAME - A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body. The plug assembly comprises a plug body, a plurality of pin assemblies and a guide bar. The plug body has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a tool-receiving hole. Each of the pin assemblies is movably disposed in the plug body and comprises a first rack component and a second rack component selectively engaging with the first rack component. The guide bar is coupled to the plug body and has a plurality of pin runners for engaging with the first rack components and a tool-receiving portion exposed by the tool-receiving hole. The guide bar is capable of moving along transverse axis-direction of the plug body to disengage the first rack components from the second rack components.

NOVEL KIMBERLITE BASED FERTILIZER PRODUCTS - Kimberlite based fertilizer products are produced by treating micronized Kimberlite with alkali or first acid then alkali or by mixing the micronized kimberlite with DAP or NPK fertilizer.

2010-01-28

20100018270

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MATERIALS QUALITY IN ROLLING, FORGING, OR LEVELING PROCESS - This invention matches the material quality of a product to target data, even when a materials quality model is insufficient in prediction accuracy. Heating a metallic material, rolling, forging, or leveling the metallic material, and cooling the metallic material are each conducted at least once. Prior to manufacture of a metallic product of a desired size and shape, qualitative data of the metallic material are measured at a position by a materials quality sensor in a manufacturing line, and modifications based on measured data are made to heating, processing, or cooling conditions in at least one of the steps, upstream of the materials measured data sensor so that the quality of the metallic material at the measuring position agrees with target data.

2010-01-28

20100018271

Forming Method And Apparatus And An Associated Preform Having A Hydrostatic Pressing Medium - A method and apparatus for forming a workpiece having a desired configuration as well as an associated preform assembly are provided. The forming method and apparatus as well as the preform assembly include a hydrostatic pressing medium, such as a layer of glass, disposed within the die cavity proximate to at least one side of the workpiece. The hydrostatic pressing medium is configured to have a relatively low viscosity at the temperatures at which the workpiece is processed, thereby facilitating the relatively even application of pressure to the workpiece. As such, a workpiece having a complex configuration may be formed utilizing a single acting die.

2010-01-28

20100018272

Peening apparatus and method - A method of peening a surface which comprises the steps of providing a rotary peening tool having at least one rotating flap mounted on the drive shaft which is rotatably driven, measuring the speed of the drive shaft, and controlling the speed of the drive shaft to maintain a desired level. A peening apparatus is also disclosed.

2010-01-28

20100018273

Roll Unit for use in Surface Treatment of Copper Foil - Provided is a roll unit for use in a surface treatment of a copper foil, wherein shaft sleeves are fitted to a roll shaft of a roll so that the roll shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing via the shaft sleeves. Additionally provided is a roll unit wherein the shaft sleeves consist of two sleeves, namely a roll-side sleeve arranged on a roll main body side and a tapered sleeve arranged on a shaft end side, an oil seal is arranged between the roll-side sleeve and a bearing box, and the tapered sleeve is supported by a bearing disposed in the bearing box. Thus, this invention relates to a roll unit to be used in electrochemical surface treatments, such as roughening treatment, rust prevention treatment and surface oxidation treatment, to be continuously performed on a surface of a rolled copper foil or an electrolytic copper foil, and in particular relates to a roll unit capable of inhibiting the abrasion and corrosion of the roll shaft of such roll unit and capable of simple replacement of the bearing box, bearing and other components.

2010-01-28

20100018274

ANTI-BENDING PROFILING HEAD AND PROFILING MACHINE FITTED WITH SUCH HEADS - The use of shafts of small diameter in profiling heads gives rise to problems of bending and of loss of adjustment. In addition, the runout of the shafts can cause them to be ejected. To remedy these problems, the invention provides anti-bending means securing together shaft adjustment and forming means. A profiling head (

2010-01-28

20100018275

Low-friction bending system in a rolling stand comprising several rolls - A device for bending the rolls in a rolling stand having several rolls with the use of bending blocks, which are mounted at the run-in end and the run-out end between the roll chocks and the housing windows and can be acted upon by control elements. A piston-cylinder is assigned to the bending blocks of one of the mill housings, and a vertical positioning mechanism is assigned to the bending blocks of the opposite mill housing.

2010-01-28

20100018276

SHEET METAL ROCKER ARM WITH INTEGRALLY FORMED CROSS MEMBER - A sheet metal rocker arm of the end pivot rocker arm type formed by bending into a U shape a precursor sheet metal piece and characterized by having a reinforcing cross member which is integrally formed by bending a tab that is cut in the central portion of the connecting part of a U-channel element to yield a reinforcing cross member to provide a unitary structure that introduces substantially enhanced stiffness to the rocker arm. The method of creating integrally formed reinforcing cross-members by appropriately cutting slits that provide reinforcing members can be applied to any stamped rocker arm that has a U-channel architecture, e.g., including, for example, rocker arms for pushrod type valvetrains as well as roller finger follower type rocker arms. Provision of the integrally formed cross member abutting the inner wall of the sides of the U-shaped rocker arm renders stiffness to the rocker arm that enables an engine to operate at a higher rpm and thereby improves horsepower output.

PRESS-WORKING METHOD, AND PRESS-WORKING APPARATUS - A press-working apparatus capable of forming a clear character line. The press-working apparatus forms a product having a character line. The press-working apparatus comprises an upper die and a lower die arranged across a steel sheet, an upper die mechanism for moving the upper die toward and away from the lower die, a first holder and a second holder for clamping the steel sheet and applying an unwrinkling force to the same, and a control unit for controlling the upper die mechanism and the first holder. The upper die is divided on the character line of the product into a first upper die and a second upper die. The control unit makes the unwrinkling force by the first holder stronger than that by the second holder, so that the steel sheet is press-worked by the second upper die and then by the first upper die.

MANDREL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.

STATIC RIG FOR VALVE TESTING - A static test rig, for a safety valve having an inlet and a disc movable to open and close the valve, comprises a test table having an aperture therethrough over which the valve can be mounted with its inlet open to the aperture, a gas chamber arranged under the table to admit compressed gas to the aperture thereby to apply a gas pressure to the valve disc, a push rod extending through the gas chamber and arranged to extend through the valve inlet and actuation means arranged to apply an axial push force to the push rod thereby to apply a push force to the disc simultaneously with the gas pressure.

Calibration apparatus, contact judging method and semiconductor testing apparatus - A calibration apparatus for probe contact conformity judgment is applicable to multiple pin measurement at a low cost with an easy operation. The calibration apparatus is provided with a calibration robot for bringing a probe into contact with a prescribed position on a performance board and a judging means for judging conformity of the contact. The calibration robot is provided with a calibration module having a driver for outputting an inspection signal and a comparator for inputting a reflected wave. The judging means judges conformity of the contact based on the timing at which a reflected wave is inputted into the comparator through the probe after the inspection signal is outputted to the probe from the driver.

2010-01-28

20100018287

WIRLELINE DOWNHOLE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH AND DOWNHOLE GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY METHOD - This invention relates to the devices used in the oil and gas industry. Disclosed herein is the use of a high resolution gas chromatograph in the borehole for borehole fluid type determination in real time mode. The Wireline Downhole Gas Chromatograph comprises a sample chamber with a piston position sensor, the chamber being connected through the sampling valve to the pipeline and through oil pump to hydraulic oil pressure compensation tank; an electric thermostat with a temperature sensor and a chromatograph tube installed inside the thermostat, one side of tube is connected in series through a rotating sample injector, a zeolite filter, a first check valve and a chromatograph isolating valve with a line connecting said sampling valve and said sample chamber, and the other side of tube is connected in series to a second check valve, a fraction detector, a sample portion cylinder and a second pressure gage, wherein said rotating sample injector is connected in series to a pressure reducer, a transporting medium valve, a compressed nitrogen cylinder and a first pressure gage; a bypass line with a bypass valve is connected in parallel to said rotating sample injector, said chromatograph tube and said fraction detector, and the electronic telemetry loop is connected to the output of said fraction detector.

2010-01-28

20100018288

GAS ANALYZER AND METHOD OF GAS ANALYSIS - The present invention provides a gas analyzer that can be miniaturized and detect a wide variety of gases with high sensitivity, and a method of gas analysis. A separation column

2010-01-28

20100018289

GAS MEASURING APPARATUS AND GAS MEASURING METHOD - A gas measuring apparatus includes: an infrared detecting section that receives an infrared ray from a measurement area and outputs infrared spectrum data relating to the infrared ray; a variation detecting section that detects, by using the infrared spectrum data, a variation in intensity of the infrared ray, which is caused in the infrared ray that radiates from the measurement area and which is caused by a measuring object gas in the measurement area; a converting section that converts the infrared spectrum data to radiance temperature spectrum data which represent wavelengths in an infrared region and radiance temperatures at each wavelength; a background temperature detecting section that detects, as background temperature of the measuring object gas, a maximum radiance temperature from among radiance temperatures represented by the radiance temperature spectrum data; a gas temperature detecting section that detects the temperature of the measuring object gas by using a radiance temperature in a wavelength band included in the water vapor absorption band in the infrared region from among the radiance temperatures represented by the radiance temperature spectrum data; and a computing section that computes surface density of the measuring object gas on the basis of the variation in intensity of the infrared ray, the background temperature of the measuring object gas, and the temperature of the measuring object gas.

2010-01-28

20100018290

PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR - Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for monitoring the flow of particulate matter within an exhaust gas stream. In one exemplary embodiment, a particulate matter sensor for an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The particulate matter sensor includes a casing having an attachment feature for mounting the particulate matter sensor to the exhaust system. The particulate matter sensor also includes an insulator disposed within the casing. The particulate matter sensor further includes a sensing rod having a hollow portion extending between a first end and a second end of the sensing rod. The first end of the sensing rod is supported by the insulator and the second end of the sensing rod extending away from the insulator. The particulate matter sensor still further includes an electrical connector assembly engaging the first end of the sensing rod. The electrical connector assembly is configured to transmit a signal generated by the sensing rod.

2010-01-28

20100018291

REVERSE PARTICULATE MATTER SENSOR - Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for monitoring the flow of particulate matter within an exhaust gas stream. In one exemplary embodiment, a particulate matter sensor for an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The sensor includes a casing having an attachment feature for mounting the particulate matter sensor to the exhaust system. The sensor also includes an insulator disposed within the casing. The insulator has a first end located proximate to an electrical connector of the particulate matter sensor and a second end located opposite thereof The sensor further includes a sensing rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the sensing rod is supported by the insulator and spaced from the second end of the insulator to form a gap therebetween.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC LEAKS IN THE PRESENCE OF CHAMBER OUTGASSING - Embodiments of the present invention employ measurement of argon as the means to detect the presence of an atmospheric leak in a processing chamber. Argon detected inside the process chamber is conclusive evidence of a leak. Furthermore, the amount of detected argon provides information on the rate of air entering through the leak. In one embodiment, leak detection takes place in the main plasma inside the processing chamber. In another embodiment, leak detection takes place in the self-contained plasma generated in a remote plasma sensor. Additional measurements can be performed, such as measuring the amount of oxygen, and/or the presence of moisture to help in detecting and quantifying outgassing from the processing chamber.

2010-01-28

20100018294

Flow-through apparatus for testing particle laden fluids and methods of making and using same - A method of determining one or more bulk Theological properties of a particle laden fluid comprising providing a system comprising a vessel, a pump coupled to the vessel, and a flow-through apparatus coupled to the pump and the vessel, wherein the flow-through apparatus comprises a flow chamber, a bob rotatably disposed within the chamber, wherein the bob comprises an outer geometry adapted for continuous laminar flow in an axial direction, and a gap between the chamber and the bob, pumping the particle laden fluid into the flow-through apparatus, shearing the particle laden fluid within the gap of the flow-through apparatus, and collecting data from the bob and observing the particle laden fluid to determine one or more bulk rheological properties of the particle laden fluid.

2010-01-28

20100018295

STATE SENSOR FOR PLANTS AND A WATERING SYSTEM COMPRISING A STATE SENSOR OF THIS TYPE - A state sensor for plants comprises a clamping device with two clamping elements for clamping a part of a plant. A plant parameter measuring device is coupled mechanically to the clamping device and comprises a sensor element. Said sensor element is configured as a pressure sensor element arranged on one of the clamping elements for detecting a pressure state value of the plant, which pressure state value is independent of the displacement of the clamping elements relative to one another. A watering system has at least one state sensor of this type. A reliable determination of the watering state is obtained over a long period of time and at a low cost.

2010-01-28

20100018296

PENETROMETER WITH LIGHT-WEIGHT, ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED HAMMERING MODULE - A light-weight electronically-controlled hammering module is used to apply a repetitive hammering force under electronic control to the top end of a dynamic cone penetrometer rod. In a preferred embodiment, the hammering module has a battery-powered percussive hammer that applies an electrically-generated impulse hammering force to the top of the rod. The depth of penetration is measured with a range-finder and used to compute the rate of penetration of the rod into the ground and correlated to the strength of the soil. The rate of hammering is controlled to cause the rod to penetrate into the soil at a controlled rate correlated with the strength of the soil.

2010-01-28

20100018297

Device and Methods for Use of a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer for Evaluating Soil Compaction - The present invention includes a device and method for more particularly evaluating the compaction of soil by automating the use of a prior art dynamic cone penetrometer such that user error and error caused by field conditions are eliminated. Recordation of penetrometer data previously not recorded is made more precise by the present invention such that standardized measurement results. The device further includes means for facilitating the determination of compaction of soils through keyhole openings and a means for automating the collection and processing of the generated compaction data.

2010-01-28

20100018298

SURFACE TEXTURE MEASURING INSTRUMENT AND MEASURING METHOD - A surface texture measuring instrument includes: a measuring device that includes a detector for detecting surface texture of a workpiece and an X-axis movement mechanism for moving the detector in a measurement direction; an elevation inclination adjuster capable of adjusting an elevation position and an inclination angle of a table on which the measuring device is mounted; a stage on which the workpiece is mounted; and a controller that controls the measuring device and the elevation inclination adjuster. The controller includes: a measurement controller that controls the X-axis movement mechanism to conduct a preliminary measurement and main measurement of the workpiece; a computing unit that acquires a result of the preliminary measurement from the detector and obtains an inclination angle of the workpiece at which the workpiece is inclined to the measurement direction; and a positioning controller for adjusting the inclination angle of the table based on the obtained inclination angle.

2010-01-28

20100018299

ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE - In an engine control device, when a missing-tooth location K formed on a rotor of a crank shaft sensor fixed to a crank shaft of an engine is detected at timing t

2010-01-28

20100018300

Method of Aligning Properties for Dynamometer Testing - A method of aligning a property for testing in a dynamometer cell is provided, including the steps of: mounting a laser travel car to each of four risers in a repositionable manner; mounting a laser to each of the laser travel cars in a repositionable manner; securing a dyno cart into a cart receiving station between the four risers; calibrating each of the lasers; preparing the dyno cart to receive the property; mounting the property to the dyno cart; orienting the various lasers based, at least in part, upon predetermined optimal alignment dimensions to thereby provide a set of target locations; orienting the property such that predetermined locations of the property align with the set of target locations to ensure appropriate property orientation during testing; and removing the dyno cart from the cart receiving station for delivery to the dynamometer cell.

2010-01-28

20100018301

IN-FLIGHT TESTING KITS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATING PROPOSED AERODYNAMIC STRUCTURES FOR AIRCRAFT - In-flight testing methods and kits for in-flight testing of proposed aerodynamic structures are disclosed. The methods and kits involve a testing station carried on a pre-existing fully engineered and tested host aircraft. Interchangeable but differently configured aerodynamic structures may be carried upon the host aircraft, and existing systems of the host aircraft may be utilized to conduct the testing, avoiding time and cost associated with constructing fully operational demonstrator aircraft for testing purposes.

2010-01-28

20100018302

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OVERMOLDING A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR - A tire pressure monitoring apparatus includes a valve assembly mountable in a vehicle wheel and a housing securable to the end of the valve assembly. A pressure sensor assembly is securable in the housing for monitoring tire pressure and providing an electrical signal indicative thereof. The pressure sensor assembly includes a flexible circuit board, and a battery held within a fold of the flexible circuit board, wherein the flexible circuit board is overmolded.

2010-01-28

20100018303

PERMANENTLY INSTALLED IN-WELL FIBER OPTIC ACCELEROMETER-BASED SENSING APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention include a fiber optic seismic sensing system for permanent downhole installation. In one aspect, the present invention includes a multi-station, multi-component system for conducting seismic reservoir imaging and monitoring in a well. Permanent seismic surveys may be conducted with embodiments of the present invention, including time-lapse (4D) vertical seismic profiling (VSP) and extended micro-seismic monitoring. Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to map fluid contacts in the reservoir using 4D VSP and to correlate micro-seismic events to gas injection and production activity.

2010-01-28

20100018304

IN SITU MEASUREMENTS IN FORMATION TESTING TO DETERMINE TRUE FORMATION RESISTIVITY - A borehole formation testing system that measures resistivity of near borehole formation in situ rather than the measuring resistivity of fluid drawn into a formation tester tool. A radially extendable probe assembly contacts and forms a hydraulic seal with the wall of a borehole using a pad. Electrode contacts are disposed on the contact surface of the pad and electrically contact the near borehole formation. Response of the electrode contacts are used to determine resistivity of the near borehole formation. This resistivity is with a deeper formation resistivity measurement to determine if virgin formation fluid is at or in the vicinity of the pad. Alternately, a plurality of resistivity measurements is made at the formation tester pad and virgin formation fluid at or near the pad is determined from the rate of change of the plurality of resistivity measurements.

2010-01-28

20100018305

Rotating Fluid Flow Measurement Device and Method - Fluid flow measurement device and method. In one embodiment, a tool comprises a rotating arm with a sensor pad to measure fluid flow into or out of the casing wall. The arm maintains the sensor pad in close proximity to the casing inner wall. The tool diameter is variable to allow the tool to traverse variable diameter casings and pass obstacles. The sensor pad comprises flow channels to direct the flow of fluid by electromagnetic sensors configured to detect conductive fluid flow.

LEAF SPRING LOAD MEASURING DEVICE AND PROGRAM - A leaf spring load measuring device of the present invention comprises a weighing mechanism, a measuring mechanism, a metering mechanism, and a control mechanism. The weighing mechanism applies a load heavier than a working load to a leaf spring, thereby bending the leaf spring in its thickness direction, and maintains the resulting state for a predetermined hold time. The measuring mechanism measures a load value of the leaf spring in a manner such that the spring is subjected to a load within a range of the working load. The metering mechanism meters a displacement of the spring when the load value is measured. The control mechanism controls the weighing mechanism, the metering mechanism, and the measuring mechanism, and has a timer function to meter the hold time.

2010-01-28

20100018308

Vehicle Engine With Fluid Measuring System - The present disclosure relates to a fluid measuring system for use in a vehicle engine. The engine includes a fluid return channel through which a tube is inserted. The fluid measuring system also includes a dipstick that can be inserted in the tube. One end of the dipstick is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and is configured to indicate the fluid level of the engine. The tube can be composed of an elastic material.

2010-01-28

20100018309

FLUID LEVEL MEASURING METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREFOR - An ultrasound system for measuring the fluid level in a tank includes means for emitting an ultrasound detecting beam towards a surface of the fluid in the tank from a first position relative to the tank, yielding at least a portion of a path of the ultrasound detecting beam being generally perpendicular to the bottom of the tank and defining an axis intersecting the bottom of the tank, the first position being adjacent the bottom of the tank; means for receiving echoes from the ultrasound detecting beam reflected from the surface of the fluid in the tank at a second position biased from the first position; and means for determining the fluid level using the echoes received from the ultrasound detecting beam and a distance between the first and second positions. Such a system allows eliminating the limitation caused by the transducers' dead zone without requiring the use of a waveguide. A reference target can be used to calibrate the system for the speed of sound of the fluid mixture in the tank and for measuring the fluid mixture density.

2010-01-28

20100018310

MOLECULAR CONTROL OF SURFACE COVERAGE - The concentration of a material covering a surface is controlled via an equilibrium process. Equilibrium parameters such as a concentration of the provided material, the exposure time of the material to the surface, and the surface area of an attractor applied to the surface are determined utilizing a millimeter sized piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In an example embodiment, the material is provided at a low concentration to the surface until equilibrium is attained. The amount of material accumulated on the surface is determined utilizing the cantilever sensor. The surface area of the attractor and the measured amount of material are utilized to determine the amount of the attractor surface area having the material bound thereto. Knowledge of the equilibrium parameters allows controlled surface coverage of the material on the attractor for any application. The concentration of the material adsorbed on the surface is precisely determinable and repeatable.

2010-01-28

20100018311

ULTRASOUND INSPECTION METHODS FOR NOISY CAST MATERIALS AND RELATED PROBES - Ultrasound inspection methods for noisy materials and related probes are disclosed to inspect a defect in a cast material that use polycarbonate delay layers having a first surface configured to be disposed on a surface of the cast material; and an acoustic crystal element disposed on a second surface of the polycarbonate delay layer.

2010-01-28

20100018312

Pipe Location System - A method and apparatus for the remote detection of non-conductive pipes is described. The system consists of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) units. The transmitter unit induces mechanical vibrations into the pipe, and generates a reference signal which is relayed to the receiver. The receiver unit senses vibrations from the ground and converts the vibrations into an electrical signal, and receives the reference signal from the transmitter. Using synchronous detection, the receiver compares the reference signal to the received signal from the ground. The output of the receiver is proportional to the strength of the signal from the ground and therefore indicates the proximity of the receiver to the underground pipe.

2010-01-28

20100018313

METHOD AND DEVICE OF DETECTING SHAPE AND BONE STRENGTH DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE USING THE DEVICE - The disclosed device includes a module for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a transducer to an object, another module for receiving with transducers surface waves that are a reflection of the ultrasonic wave on the object surface, another module for detecting an incoming direction of the reflected wave to each transducer group using a time difference between reception timings of two reception transducers constituting each group, each group having two transducers adjacent to each other, another module for detecting a propagation time of the surface wave reached each group using a received wave signal of the surface wave of at least one of the reception transducers, another module for detecting a reflection point of the ultrasonic wave on the object surface based on the incoming direction and the propagation time of the surface wave detected for each group, and another module for deriving a shape of the object surface using the reflection points for the transducer groups.

2010-01-28

20100018314

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT - Provided is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment including: an equipment body; a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image; an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and an ultrasonic probe having a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in a detachable manner. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves. The probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector.

2010-01-28

20100018315

Electromagnetic Ultrasonic Transducer and Array Thereof - An electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer and an array thereof are provided. This electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer includes a support, an elastic board disposed on the support, a magnetizer on the elastic board, and a magnet field generator for vibrating the magnetizer, wherein, the thickness of the magnetizer is of the order of microns. The thickness of the elastic board is also of the order of microns. This electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer is able to produce acoustic waves of high frequency, which are useful for ultrasonic therapy.

2010-01-28

20100018316

NSMS flight laser detector cooling system - A system includes a liquid cooling medium, a cooling plate having opposite first and second sides and at least one internal passage in which the liquid cooling medium flows, first and second lasers located adjacent to one another and positioned relative to the first side of the cooling plate, and a first Peltier device operably connected between the first side of the cooling plate and the first and second lasers for transferring thermal energy to the liquid cooling medium in the cooling plate.

2010-01-28

20100018317

STATE DETECTING DEVICE - A state detecting device can efficiently remove air bubbles from a liquid no matter whether the liquid flows forwards or backwards. The state detecting device (

2010-01-28

20100018318

PRESSURE SENSOR - A pressure sensor includes: a housing; a pressure receiver which seals an opening of the housing and transmits pressure from outside the housing to the inside of the housing; and a pressure sensing element having a pressure sensing portion and a pair of base portions which are respectively coupled to both ends of the pressure sensing portion. In the pressure sensor, a force detecting direction is set to be a detection axis, a line connecting the pair of base portions and a displacement direction of the pressure receiver are arranged in parallel, one of the base portions is coupled to a central region, which is displaced by the pressure, of the pressure receiver, and the other of the base portions is coupled to a marginal region, which is at a fixing side, of the pressure receiver through a connecting member.

2010-01-28

20100018319

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ELIMINATING VARYING PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS IN A PRESSURE TRANSDUCER - A single pressure sensing capsule has a reference pressure ported to the rear side of a silicon sensing die. The front side of the silicon sensing die receives a main pressure at another port. The silicon sensing die contains a full Wheatstone bridge on one of the surfaces and within the active area designated as the diaphragm area. Thus, the difference of the main and reference pressure results in the sensor providing an output equivalent to the differential pressure, namely the main pressure minus the reference pressure which is the stress induced in a sensing diaphragm. In any event, the reference pressure or main pressure may be derived from a pump pressure which is being monitored. The pump pressure output is subjected to a pump ripple or a sinusoidally varying pressure. In order to compensate for pump ripple, one employs a coiled tube. The tube length is selected to suppress the pump ripple as applied to the sensor die. In this manner, the pump ripple cannot cause resonance which would result in pressure amplification and which pressure amplification would destroy the sensor.

2010-01-28

20100018320

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARACTERIZING MICROSCALE FORMABILITY OF THIN SHEET MATERIALS - A method of predicting sheet formability at a microscale level includes the steps of providing a grid pattern on a test sheet, bulging the test sheet to a hemispherical shape until a crack is initiated on the surface of the test sheet, detecting the initiation of the crack, acquiring two images of the surface adjacent to the crack and calculating surface strains on the test sheet.

2010-01-28

20100018321

NSMS flight laser detector system - A method includes rotating a rotor, measuring a rotor rotational time for the rotor to complete a revolution, determining a blade interval by dividing the rotor rotational time by a number of blades carried on the rotor, establishing an active hold-off time interval as a percentage of the blade interval time, directing a beam of light at the blades of the rotor using a laser, sensing light reflected from the blades, generating an output signal as a function of the sensed light, establishing a signal amplitude threshold, analyzing an amplitude of the output signal to trigger the active hold-off time interval when the amplitude reaches the signal amplitude threshold, and generating a blade arrival signal as a function of triggered active hold-off time intervals. The output signal is not analyzed within each active hold-off time interval.

SONAR CIRCUMFERENTIAL FLOW CONDITIONER - Methods and apparatus enable measuring flow of a fluid within a conduit. For example, flowmeters may measure the velocity of production fluid flowing through production pipe of an oil/gas well. The flowmeters rely on detection of pressure variations generated as a result of a backward-facing step as a basis for flow measurement calculations. Pressure sensing occurs away from the step in a direction of the flow of the fluid in an enhanced turbulence region of the flowmeter where the inner diameter remains enlarged as a result of the step.

2010-01-28

20100018326

Coriolis effect mass flow meter and gyroscope - A Coriolis effect device includes a housing defining an interior chamber having a central axis, an inlet, an outlet, a leading disc and a trailing disc. Each disc is supported for oscillatory movement within the interior chamber of the housing. The leading disc defines a leading flow path in fluid communication with the inlet and interior chamber, wherein a portion of the leading flow path extends radially with respect to the central axis. The trailing disc is axially spaced from the leading disc. The trailing disc defines a trailing flow path in fluid communication with the interior chamber and the outlet, wherein a portion of the trailing flow path extends radially with respect to the central axis. A phase difference between leading and trailing oscillating signals picked up from the disc movement can be used to determine a mass flow rate of fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.

2010-01-28

20100018327

LOAD DETECTING APPARATUS AND LOAD DETECTING METHOD - The present invention provides a load detecting apparatus capable of detecting load and vibration applied to a support supporting a body of a human or an animal by a load sensor provided in the support, in particular such a load detecting apparatus capable of detecting micro vibration applied to the support, with a high noise immunity.